Chain-link forming and opening machine.



G. J. ARMSTRONG & F. C. LE MESSURIER.

CHAIN LINK FORMING AND OPENING MACHINE.

.AEPLICATION FILED MAY 16. 1916. RENEWED MAR. 13. 19

1,281,479 Patented ()0t.15, 1918.

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G. I. ARMSTRONG (I; F. C. LE MESSURIER. CHAIN LINK FORMING AND OPENING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED MAY 16. 1916. RENEWED MAR. 13.1918.

1,281,479.. Patente 005.15, 1918.

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G. ARMSTRONG & F. C. LE MESSURIER. CHAIN LINK FORMING AND OPENING MACHINE. APPLICATION mm MAY as. me. RENEWED MAR. 13.1918.

1,281,479; Patented Oct. 15, 1918.

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G. J. ARMSTRONG (I: F. C. LE M'ESSURIER.

CHAIN LINK FORMING AND OPENING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 16, I916. RENEWED M'AR.

Patented ()0t.15, 1918.

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and useful Improvement in Chain-Link nn'iTnn STATES PATENT o.

GEORGE J. ARMSTRONG AND FRANKLIN G. LE MESSURIER, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK, ASSIGNORS TO MCKINNON CHAIN (30., OFBUFFALO, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

GHAIN-LINK FORM ING AND OPENING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 16, 1916, Serial No. 97,802. Renewed. March 13, 1918. Serial No. 222,259.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, GEORGE J. ARM- STRONG, a citizen of the United States, resid ing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, and FRANKLIN (LL12: Mnssomsn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented a new Forming and Opening Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to chain-link form ing machines of that kind in which a continuous wire is wound into a coil on a mandrel and the convolutions of the coil are severed to form the links, and the machine comprises means for winding the coil on the mandrel and for severing the links from the coil and thus forming split links, andthe machine also preferably includes means for spreading or opening the split ends of the links to permit the links to be inserted one into another to form a chain.

The objects of the invention are to provide a machine of this character which is simple in construction and very rapid in operation; also to provide a machine the operation of which is continuous, that is in which the winding mandrel and link severing mechanism rotate continuously or without intermission; also toprovide in the machine effective means of very simple construction for spreading or opening the ends of the links; also to construct the machine so that it can be readily adapted for form- 'ing and opening links of different sizes or made from wires of different gage;- and also to improve chain link forming and opening machines in the respects hereinafter described and set forth in the claims. 7

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a front elevation of a chain link forming and opening machine embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is anenlarged fragmentary sectional elevation of the wire-winding and link-severing mechanism on line 2- 2, Fig.

'1, but showing the parts in a different position.

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation on a still larger scale of the cutting device on line 3-3, Fig. 2.

coil that is severedto form the links. "gated; or substantially elliptical links are I made in the machine illustrated in the drawings, and the mandrel is of corresponding r cross sectional. shape, being of greater diam- Fig. 4 is aplan view of the machineon a larger scale than Fig. 1.

ing device.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional elevation of the mandrel and link outtershowing the position of the parts when severing the link. i

Fig. 9 is a section online 9-9, Fig. 8

looking in the direction of the arrow.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional elevation of the machine.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged sectional elevation of the linkspreading horn or device on line 11l1, Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 1s a fragmentary sectional elevat1on similar to Fig. 10, showlng a different position of the link spreading plunger.

Fig. 13 shows inside and edge elevation of one of the links before it is opened.

7 Fig. 14 shows inside and edge elevation of an opened link.

Fig. 15 is an enlarged transverse sectional elevation on line 1515, Fig. 10.

Fig. 16 is a sectional plan view on line 1616,F1g. 15.

A represents the stationary frame of the machine, which may be of any suitable construction and B represents the rotary mandrel on which the wire is wound into the Eloneter in onedirection than in the other with roundededges. The mandrel is supported and rotated preferably as follows It isiprovided at one end with a portion *1 of polygonal or other suitable shape in cross section'which is removably secured by a set-screw, or-otherwise, 1n an axial socket in adrlving head 2 on a hollow rotary shaft 3 which is journaled to rotate in a suitable bearing 4 on the frame.

C represents a drive shaft which turns freely at one end in the hollow shaft 3 and is journaled at its other end in a bearing 5 on the frame.

This shaft can be driven by any suitable means, as for instance by a belt running on a pulley 6 secured to the shaft. The drive shaft C is connected by gear wheels 7 and'S to a counter shaft D which is journaled in suitable bearings 9 on the frame and'is connected by a gear pinion 10 and gear wheel 11 to the hollow mandrel shaft 3 for driving the latter. The mandrel can be readily removed and replaced by another mandrel for a link of difierent size and shape.

E represents the wire-or rod from which the links 6 are formed. This wire passes to the mandrel from asuitable supply spool or device, not shown, and is Coiled on the mandrel by the rotation of the latter. F represents a presser wheel which presses the wire firmly against the mandrel as the latter rotates so as to cause the wire to wind closely on the mandrel and conform to the shape thereof. This presser wheel is provided with a peripheral groove 12 in which the wire is confined and the wheel is mounted to move toward and from the mandrel, being for instance j ournaled on a lever 13 which is suitably fulcrumed at 14; on the frame and is provided with a weight 15, or

coil.

other means, for pressing the wheel yieldingly toward the mandrel. The wheel is adapted to rise and fall so as to follow'the contour of the mandrel, as the latter rotates and thus press the wire firmly against the flat sides as well as the rounded edges of the mandrel. Means of any other suitable sort could be provided for causing the wire to lie closely on and conform to the shape of the mandrel.

G, Figs. 5-7 and 10 represents a stationary plate which extends transversely under the mandrel at a point adjacent to the presser wheel and is provided with an inclined face g. As the. mandrel rotates the wire coil which is being wound thereon turns with the mandrel and as each convolution of the coil is being wound on the mandrel it engages the inclined face 9 of the plate G whereby thecoil is shoved or advanced intermittently lengthwise along the mandrel. This plate G can be stationarily secured in position in any suitable way.. As shown, it is detachably secured by screws 16 on a bracket 17 secured by screwslS to the'fram'e A of the machine. The plate G can thus'be readily removed and replaced by another'plate suitable for operating upon links of another size or made of wire of a difieren't gage;

H represents a cutter or devicefor severing the convolutions of the coilto divide the same into separate links. At each revolution of the mandrel this cutter isreciprocated to engage and sever a link from the The cutter is preferably removably and adjustably secured on a head or holder arranged to reciprocate radially on a rotary wheel or carrier K which is journaled to rotate about the mandrel B. The knife or cutter can be removably and adjustably secured on the reciprocating head in any suitable way, as for instance by clamp plates 19 which are secured by screws 20 to the head and are provided with beveled edges bearing against the beveled opposite edges of the cutter. 21 is an adjusting screw on the cutter head bearing against the outer edge of the cutter strikes one convolution of the coil a sharp blow opposite the cuttingv edge 22 of the mandrel and thereby breaks or severs thecoil. The cutter head Ican be mounted'to reciprocate radially on the rotary wheel or carrier K in any suitable way, for instance, the wheel or carrier K, as

shown best in Figs. 15 and 16, is provided with parallel dovetail guide ways 23 in' which the correspondingly shaped ends of the opposite legs of the cutter head, which is of substantially U-shape, are adapted to slide. Springs 2 f provided between the inner and outer edges of the legs of the cutter head and suitable abutments 25 on the rotary carrier serve to hold the cutter head in a position in which the edge of the cutter is held in the normal position out of contact with the coil on the revolving mandrel. The cutter head is provided with an anti-friction roller 26 at the outer side thereof. and at eachrevolution of the cutter head and mandrel this roller engages a stationary cam L i which projects toward the axis of rotation of the cutter and moves the cutter quickly inwardly so as to cause it to strike the coil a sharp blow to sever the link therefrom.v

:eXtends transversely of the machine below .the revolving cutter head. The cutter operating cam is preferably formed on a separate hardened steelblock 28 which can be removably secured in any suitable-way to the cross piece 27. As shown, the block 28 is seated 'in a notch in the cross piece and is held therein by a retaining screw 29,.see Figs. 2 and 15. The rotary cutter carrier K can be journaled and driven in any suitable manner. 1 It is preferably journaled on a hollow stationary stud or axle 30 through which the mandrel B passes and which is se- (Mn Afr" "cured to or formed on a stationary cross piece or member 31 of the stationary frame A. The rotary carrier is provided with peripheral teeth which mesh with a driving pinion 32 secured on the counter shaft D.

The revolving cutter and mandrel both rotate continuously and in unison and the cutter is reciprocated radially once during each revolution of the cutter. head and mandrel to sever the coil on the mandrel. It is not necessary for either the mandrel or cutter head to be intermittently rotated.

M represents a link spreading bar or device Which is stationarily mounted on the frame and extends lengthwise beyond the free end of the rotary mandrel B and is provided with an arm or portion 772- which extends upwardly to the end of the mandrel so that the severed links are adapted to be shoved off of the mandrel onto said arm and slide down the same to the main horizontal or body part of the spreading bar. Preferably the upper end of the arm m is provided with a stud 33 entering a socket in the end of the mandrel so that the arm serves as a support or journal for the delivery end of the mandrel. The spreading bar is rigidly but removably secured on the frame by a bracket 34, Figs. 10 and 11 bolted to the frame and can be readily detached to permit the mandrel and spreading bar to be removed and replaced by others for links of a different size or shape. As the wire coil is advanced on the mandrel by the inclined plate G the links which are severed from the coil by the cutter are gradually shoved along the mandrel until they reach the outer end thereof and pass off of the mandrel in succession onto the arm m and slide down the same onto the spreading bar. In order to cause the links to pass Off the mandrel onto the spreading bar only when the mandrel is in the position shown in Fig. 10

'with the severed ends of the links at the underside of the mandrel so that when the links pass onto the spreading bar they will all hang the same way thereon, the mandrel is provided at the delivery end thereof, at that edge where the severed ends of the links are located with a lateral projection or hook 35 and the opposite corner of the mandrel is rounded as shown at 36 in Fig. 10. Thus when the mandrel is in the position shown in Fig. 10, with the hook 35 at the underside thereof, the links can slip off of the end down into the'upright position shown at the The links are shoved forwardly on the if spreading bar to thus spread their ends apart by a shoving device or plunger N which, as shown, is supported by a slide or carrier 38 arranged to slide longitudinally on guide rods 39 on the stationary frame of the machine. The outer end of this plunger is bifurcated and adapted to straddle the inner end of the spreading bar as shown in Fig. 1:2, so that when the plunger ismoved outwardly the bifurcated end thereof will engage the innermost link on the spreading bar and shove the links forwardly over the diverging faces 37 of the bar. When the links leave the mandrel their opposite sides stand at an angle to each other with the ends of the link in different planes, as shown in Fig. 13, but the shoving device N in forcing the links over the diverging portion of the spreading bar springs the sides into a common plane as shown in Fig. 14. The shoving device or plunger N can be reciprocated by any suitable means, as for instance by a Cam 0 which is secured to a horizontal shaft 40 suitably journaled in the frame under the spreading bar and provided with a groove into which extends an antifriction roller 41 secured to a bracket 42 on the slide 38 for the shoving device. The shaft 40 can be driven by any suitable means, such as a gear wheel 43 secured thereto and meshing with the toothed periphery of the rotary cutter carrier or wheel K.

P, Fig, 1, represents a link-receiving stick or magazine which is removably supported with one end thereof in connection with the outer end of the spreading bar so that the opened links can pass Off of the spreading bar onto the receiving stick. Preferably the receiving stick is supported in upright position with pins 44 at its upper end seated in sockets in the downturned outer end of the spreading bar, in which position it is retained by a wedge block 45 on whichthe links could of course be discharged from the machine into a receptacle or to receiving means of any other suitable kind.

We claim as our invention 1. In a. link forming machine, the combination of a continuously rotating mandrel on which a wire is coiled, and a cutter which revolves with the mandrel about the axis thereof and coope'ates with the mandrel to sever the convolutions of the coil to form links.

2. In a link forming machine, the combination of continuously rotating means for winding a wire into acoil, and means revolving continuously with said coiling means and about the axis of the coil for severing the convolutions of the coil to form links.

3. In a link forming machine, the combination of a mandrel which is rotated to coil a wire thereon, a cutter which revolves about the axis of the mandrel, and means for reciprocating the cutter to sever the convolutions of the coil to form links.

a. In a link forming machine, the combination of a mandrel which is rotated to coil a wire thereon, a cutter which revolves about the axis of the mandrel, and means for reciprocating the cutter toward the mandrel, said cutter and mandrel cooperating to sever the convolutions of the coil to form links.

5. In a link forming machine, the combination of rotary means for winding wire into a coil, a cutter carrier which revolves outside of said coil about the axis thereof, a cutter mounted on said carrier, and means for actuating said cutter to sever links from said coil.

6. In a link forming machine, the combination of a mandrel on which a wire is coiled, a cutter carrier through which said mandrel extends and which rotates substantially concentrically with the coil, a cutter mounted in said carrier, and means for actuating the cutter to sever links from the coil.

7. In a link forming machine, the combination ofa mandrel, means for rotating the mandrel to wind a wire thereon, a cutter carrier through which the mandrel extends and which rotates with the mandrel, a cutter mounted on said carrier, and means for actuating the cutter to sever links from the 8. In a link forming machine, the combination of a mandrel, means for rotating the mandrel to wind a wire thereon, a cutter carrier through which the mandrel extends and which rotates with the mandrel, a cutter whlch 1s movably mounted on and rotates with said carrier, and means for reciprocating the cutter on the carrier to sever links from the wire.

9. In a link forming machine, the combination of a mandrel, means for rotating the mandrel to wind a wire thereon, a cutter carrier which rotates with the mandrel, a cutter mounted to reciprocate on said carrier, and a cam by which the cutter is reciprocated on the carrier to sever links from the wire.

10. In alink forming machine, the combination of a mandrel, means for rotating the mandrel to wind a wire thereon, a cutter carrier which rotates with the mandrel, a cutter head mounted to, reciprocate on said carrier, a cutter on said cutter head, and a stationary cam which engages and reciprocates the cutter head to sever links from the wire.

11. The combination of means for forming split links, a spreading bar which receives the links and has a portion of increasing cross-section, and means for forcing the links along said increasing portion of the bar to spread the ends of the links.

12. The combination of means for forming split links, a spreading bar which receives the links and has a portion of increas ing dimensions, and means whereby links are caused to move over said increasing portion of the bar which spreads the ends of the links.

13. The combination of means for forming split links, a stationary spreading bar which receives the links and has diverging faces, and movable means for forcing the links along the bar over said diverging faces for spreading the ends of the links.

14. The combination of a mandrel on which split links are formed, a spreading bar having a portion of increasing cross-section onto which the links pass from the mandrel, and means for forcing the links along the spreading bar for spreading the ends of the links.

15. The combination of a rotary mandrel on which split links are formed, a stationary spreading bar having a portion of increasing cross-section onto which the links pass from the mandrel, and means for forcing the links along the spreading bar for spreading the ends of the links.

16. The combination of a rotary mandrel on which the split links are formed, a spreading bar which extends from one end'of the mandrel and receives the links from the mandrel, said bar having a portion of. increasing cross-section, and means for forcing the links along the spreading bar for spreading the ends of the links.

. 17. The combination of means for forming split llnks, a spreading bar which receives the links, and a reciprocatlng device having a bifurcated part which straddles said bar for moving the links along the bar to spread the ends of the links. 7

18. The combination of means for forming split links, a spreading bar which receives the links, means for moving the links along said bar to spread the ends of the links,and

a receiving stick which receives the links from the spreading bar ,and is removable with the links thereon.

19. The combination of means for forming split links a spreading bar which receives the links, means for moving the links along said bar to spread the ends of the links, and a receiving stick which is detachably connected with one end of the spreading bar and receives the links therefrom and is removable with the links in place thereon.

20. The combination of a rotary mandrel on which split links are formed, and means onto which the links pass from one end of the mandrel, said mandrel. having at one side of said end a part which engages the links to prevent them from passing off of the mandrel when the side of said mandrel having said part is uppermost.

Vitness our hands this 12 day of May,

GEO. J. ARMSTRONG. FRANKLIN C. LE MESSURIER. Vitnesses MARY M. PETERS, ELIZABETH L. KENNY.

Coulee of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, I). G. 

